February 4, 2012

Even as a Californian, for me winter feels like the time of hibernation, nights by the fire, reading novels, being cozy. In this internal time, I find my thoughts wandering to far away places, the summer light, balmy evenings, and the late setting sun. With our family's year away as an almost graspable memory, my wanderlust has taken a specific shape - I yearn for Bali, and I dream of Greece.

I'm slowing wading through the 25 thousand photos I took during my family's 11 months away. I have found plenty of garbage to toss out, but I am also uncovering all sorts of treasures that I didn't quite realize I had. There are pictures of Otis and Lilah gleefully enjoying the freedom of being out of school for the year that are personally precious to us. And I have discovered a trove of abstract photographs that inspire me in a whole new way.

But what I want to share with you today is a glimpse of Corfu. Think of sea side tavernas with tables in the sand, of drinking rosé and eating freshly-caught fish at lunches so long and late, that they creep into the dinner hour. An island with cobblestone streets and architecture in beautiful decay. Markets packed with plump stone fruit. Sunsets that seem impossibly vibrant.

When I told P that I was putting this post together, he said "It's like buying a bikini in winter."

I am currently at a winter retreat where the theme is solitude, peace, and reflection. Isnt it wonderful that there are so many places on this planet to feel that sense of space, timelessness, and beauty? We have so much to be thankful for when we allow ourselves the space to enjoy and be present. Thank you for the gift of these photos to remind us that find the beauty around us every day.

Wonderful photos! I love when people post travel photos. I still love to sit and dream about the year we spent in Japan. It had a huge impact on my kids as I'm sure you will notice as your kids grow older. And they weren't 'out' of school for a year...they were 'in' the school of LIFE! Went to Chinese New Year yesterday and enjoyed watching the families celebrate their holiday with their children. I was completely absorbed in the details and expressions of the people. Where am I dreaming of going? Istanbul keeps floating in my mind. Always Paris. We'll be out in Oregon in April!

Beautiful post! What a great photo collage of such a lovely post. I went to Greece and several islands when I was in College. Loved the food, building, views and the people. Hope you have a brilliant Sunday!

Sarah, you are right about not being "out of school." My kids learned and grew more in that year away then I think they ever will again. The school of Life rocks! Paris and Istanbul are on my dreaming list too:)

Candy, Thanks! So true... the people of Corfu were so kind and welcoming.

Lisa, Isn't Greece dreamy? There is something about that light that is so magical. I hope you have a great day too. I imagine you are cooking up something great:)

I wish i'll could be there now, cause it's snowing up here and it's very, very cold, but when reading this post makes me feel like i'm at the beach right now. I have visited Corfu too, beautidul place on the Earth, like all the Greece too :)

What a perfectly gorgeous collection of photos! It must be so fun to go through them all. Let's see, if I could be anywhere right now, it would be warm and sandy and lazy, maybe Costa Rica or Fiji. Never been to either, but you know, a girl can dream :)

Oh this post is absolutely beautiful - it's completely transported me from snowy London :-) If I could pack my bags tomorrow, I'd probably jet off to somewhere in Central America as I've never been. My idea of holiday bliss is clear blue seas, lots of sunshine, incredible food and the people I love around me. Bliss.

I am loving all of these travel wishes you guys are sharing!!!! At each mention of a new spot, I feel like I get to take a little mental vacation there as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to share with me and the rest of us.

Tori, I have been to Bondi and I can see why you would want to go back:) That bright sun, great people walking and a stunning city!

Paige, oooh Nicaragua. I'd love to go there too. I hear it is beautiful!

thelittleloaf, your holiday bliss is mine too. I was lucky enough to check all of those things when we were in Corfu:)

So very beautiful. When I saw your comment the other day, I knew there'd be something beautiful waiting for me to enjoy here. But my pirated internet is hard to steal on the weekends, so it had to wait until now:)

And how funny. I've been dreaming recently of southern France, after several years of being away from it. I've been looking at my pictures in depth, although I definitely don't have 26,000 of them. It's nice to look at where I've been, but I enjoy the activity most because it inspires whatever is yet to come for me!

E, Greece is one of my favorite places of all time and just seeing your images takes me right back to when I was there. I can almost feel the warmth of the sun, taste the bracing sip of Greek coffee after long nights out in the clubs and understand where my obsession with all things blue and white originated. If I could pack up and go today, I would. My list of travel destinations is always long, but The Galapagos Islands are particularly alluring as is New Zealand.

Such amazing photos....I feel like I've been whisked away on a brief holiday in Corfu after gazing at them! Corfu is one of the many places on my long, long list of places I'd love to visit. Hopefully one day I will get there!

Hi Marianne, thanks for the note. Greece is one of my favorite spots on earth and I always like to hear how others love it too. Those village tavernas are magic. We are going back this summer to Folegandros. I cannot wait!!!-E